2007 Renault Kangoo Expression review from Slovakia

Front brake pads replaced at 54000km. Cost 100 euros at a dealer. Included was overall check of vehicle and replacement of rear wiper.

The 1.5 85hp diesel is high on torque and low on thirst. Can pass where you want on narrow country lanes without having to plan ahead, and can stay ahead of much faster cars on a road with not too sharp bends. Best mileage was 1010km using 47.3 litres of a 50 litre tank and not driven conservatively at all!

High roof makes for a pleasant uncramped interior and amazingly, high side winds on motorways are hardly noticeable.

The load space is good, but drops considerably if passengers are carried on the back seats. 2.5 metres is the longest that can be carried with the back doors closed. However, it can be loaded to the roof and the rear seats split to accommodate various loads. More suited to large boxy items than long timbers.

One of the best features are the excellent headlights. Good length and fantastic spread on low beam, great reach and spread on high. Coupled with a high seating position, visibility in both day and night is excellent. Valeo took over the great French headlamp maker Cibie. Maybe I'm wrong, But these lights are equal to Cibies of old! (and almost a match for xenons).

This was the last year of this model style. The new model is boxier, heavier, and is 2 seconds slower 0 - 100km than the old. Mine has character, oomph, and my 6 year old loves it. It's not my old F250 4x4 Ford pickup, and it's not my old BMW 316 on a winding road.

But somehow I am reminded of them both when driving the Kangoo.